I'm tired of starting a novel that seems really interesting and finding it full of profanity and gratuitous sex scenes.  Can anyone recommend some secular-but-clean authors?  I read Christian authors too, but so many of them are such BAD writers that I can't get through them.

You might try Earlene Fowler. There is some sex but typically it is married sex.  I'm also reading Julie Hyzy's mystery novels now -- no sex so far...

Here is a list of authors that I have enjoyed in a variety of genres (mystery, contemporary, romance, etc).  They are secular writers but keep their books clean.

1. Maeve Binchy
2. Jon Hassler
3. Anne Perry (mystery)
4. Victoria Thompson (mystery)
5. Jeanne Ray
6. Robyn Carr (a little more risky, but not bad)
7. Patrick Taylor (Irish Country Dr. series)
8. Lauren Willig (Pink carnation series)
9. Katherine Valentine

Marilyn, can I ask which Christian authors you've read?

Ones that I recommend to people who normally don't read Christian fiction (and it's bc the writing IS good, not preachy and is written realistic) are Susan Meissner, Angela Hunt, Lisa Samson, Neta Jackson and Jenny B Jones

what genres are you looking for? cozy mysteries tend to be relatively clean.  One really good book i finished lately was City of Tranquil Light by Bo Caldwell.

I haven't read any of his books in awhile, but John Grisham is a Christian who writes non-Christian books.  His books normally are reads that I don't mind. 

Some of Andrew Greeley's books are labeled Christian fiction and some are not.  He is a former priest that has written a ton of books, some of which are excellant and all are good.

In reply to Deborah, the Christian authors I've read and liked are Jan Karon (LOVE those Mitford books!), Francine Rivers, Randy Alcorn, who I think is much overlooked (get Deadline, Dominion, Deception, and Safely Home), Ted Dekker...can't think of more offhand.  I like cozy mysteries, romance, suspense, your basic domestic drama....not picky on that.

Thanks for all the suggestions from everyone!  I'll definitely look these up.  Had no idea John Grisham was a Christian writer.

Some secular authors I would recommend are Anna Quindlen, Anita Shreve, and Anne Tyler.

Marilyn I have the same problem.  Some secular authors I have enjoyed are:

Jennifer Chiaverini's Elm Creek Quilts series (domestic and historical)

Donis Casey's Alafair Tucker series (cozy mystery)

Earlene Fowler's Benni Harper series (cozy mystery)

Anne Perry's Charlotte & Thomas Pitt series (Victorian era mystery)

Elizabeth Peters' Amelia Peabody series (cozy mystery set in 1800s to 1920s)

Ann B. Ross' Miss Julia series (cozy mystery, humorous)

Will Thomas' Barker and Llewellyn series (Victorian era mystery)

Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs series (cozy mystery 1930s)

Kate Morton

Some Christian authors  that I have enjoyed: 

Robin Jones Gunn's Sisterchick series (not as fluffy as it sounds)

Joel Rosenberg's Last Jihad series (end times suspense)

Lisa Samson

Neta Jackson's Yada Yada series (also not as fluffy as it sounds)

Randy Singer (legal thrillers)

If you like mysteries you might want to try:

Tim Downs - Bugman series

Steven James - Bowers Files.

I'm glad to see the Miss Julia books made it on this list.  I'm collecting them because they look like they just have to be fun to read.   And I didn't realize Grisham is a Christian.  I've never been drawn to his books figuring they were just too popular, but now I want to see what this guy's writing is like.

Robert Liparulo, Eric Wilson, Steven James, Tim Downs, Travis Thrasher, TL Hines...more Christian writers who actually write well. Most of them write the type of stories you would normally find from a secular author but without the gratutious negatives and with a thread of truth running through them.

I copied this from a swap I'm in because I agree and thought you might be interested.

Some of Debbie Macomber's books are listed at www.christianbooks.com   but not her Cedar Cove series.  I'm a big Debbie Macomber fan.   I consider her books good, clean, and moral, but not Christian 

 Brandt Dodson is another good CF author

Chris Fabry has written three novels that are excellent -- his latest is Almost Heaven.  He has a mid-afternoon show on Moody radio as well.

I don't read any secular novels, so I don't have any recommendations there.  I will, however, second the recommendations for Chris Fabry.  I've only read one of his 3 books so far, and it was soooooo very well written.  I can't wait to read his other two!